CD Details

Released: June 24, 2011

Originally Released: 2011

Label: Sony

Entertainment Reviews:

Rolling Stone - pp.95-96

3.5 stars out of 5 -- "It's a big-budget pop album with an A list of guest stars....Half the songs are ballads, but all kinds of sounds filter through the mix -- vintage soul, hard rock, reggae, [and] adult contemporary..."

Rolling Stone - p.70

Ranked #25 in Rolling Stone's '50 Best Albums Of 2011' -- "The world's shrewdest diva turns on her star power full blast..."

3 stars out of 5 -- "'Best Thing I Never Had' delivers a fabulously breezy kick in the groin to he who dared wrong-do her..."Paste (magazine) - "Even when grabbing a fistful of vitriol on 'Best You Never Had,' a boiling throw-down of invective and bitterness, it's her voice that stands out strong and clear, exploring the potential of the delivery."Pitchfork (Website) - "'1+1' is that rare wonder: a wedding song that pleases but doesn't pander..."

Uncut (magazine) - p.79

4 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he final third is full of the tribal stomp of M.I.A. and Missy Elliott....Overall, 4 is a very strong record indeed."

Tracks:

1.1 + 1

2.I Care

3.I Miss You

4.Best Thing I Never Had

5.Party

6.Rather Die Young

7.Start Over

8.Love on Top

9.Countdown

10.End of Time

11.I Was Here

12.Run the World (Girls)

Song previews provided courtesy of iTunes

Product Description:

Photographers: Ellen Von Unwerth; Greg Gex; Tony Duran .

Beyonc‚ reportedly recorded 72 songs for 4, 12 of which made the cut. The album's stylistic range was indicated through its first two singles, the busy and hyper empowerment anthem "Run the World (Girls)" and the bombastic ballad "Best Thing I Never Had." Said to be inspired by a diverse list of artists, from Fela Kuti to DeBarge, Beyonc‚ also lets herself go -- from a vocal standpoint -- as a way to reach the energy level of her live performances.